They showed up for one of their own!
Aisha Taylor Issah is the Founder & CEO of The Sistah Shop ATL, a retail and e-commerce store she originally opened with the goal of providing a platform for Black women-owned businesses. Initially launched in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 2021, Issah eventually expanded to Atlanta, Georgia, the following year, opening her second retail location in the city’s famed Atlantic Station. Recently, Issah took to social media to regretfully announce that the business was struggling, asking the community who helped make her a success to help save the Atlanta location from closing.
“Over the last three years, we’ve featured the brands of close to 500 sistahs in business on our shelves and as weekend pop-up vendors, many of whom have gone on to be featured in major retailers and scale significantly…Despite our many efforts to stay afloat in this difficult economy, we are now at risk of having to close our doors if we can’t raise at least $50k in the next 30 days. We humbly ask for your support and partnership to #savethesistahshop,” wrote Issah on the website.
This past week, the community showed up and showed out, with award-winning author and entrepreneur Nehemiah Davis leading a flash mob of supporters into the Atlantic Station location to buy Issah’s store out. Visibly emotional at the show of support, Issah took to social media afterward to thank everyone for all the support she initially saw while in church.
Community members attempted to purchase every item in Issah’s store, with notable influencers like David Shands of the Social Proof Podcast on hand to amplify the movement and support a worthy cause.
” [Imagine] struggling to pay rent, business is slow, and you’re feeling discouraged. Out of nowhere, over 150 strangers come buy you out…She told us that last week, she called the landlord to give notice that they will be shutting down and going out of business. This is the true definition of community,” Shands wrote on social media.
Issah says she is extremely grateful for all of the support and hopes that people will continue to support her. Davis has continued to promote The Sistah Shop on social media, encouraging everyone to help and support her however they can.
“I pray God blesses her business in abundance,” said Davis.
To help #SaveTheSistahShop and continue the efforts to support this community consignment shop, visit www.sibexposhop.com.
Cover photo: ATL Community Rallies Together to Save Small Black Woman-Owned Business/Photo credit: TheSistahShopATL/Instagram